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But Reuters believes some of the new Microsoft products may be changing that perception.

In particular, the report pointed to Microsoft's savvy marketing push for its Surface tablets as well as the Xbox 360 and Kinect combo, which has proven popular among younger gamers.

So, which high-tech brand name was the coolest?

Google's Android took top honors, considered cooler than it used to be by a full 70 percent of those 18 to 29. Apple followed, getting the nod from 60 percent of the young adults questioned.

Still, coolness doesn't necessarily mean higher sales.

The poll "definitely shows that Microsoft's efforts are paying off, but we'll have to see how cool translates into customers," Gartner analyst Michael Gartenberg told Reuters. "It's also hard to compare 'cool' factor as a quantitative measure against Apple, a company, and Android, a platform."

Conducted between February 5 and February 19, the poll was designed to gauge the perception and use of different technology brands and received responses from 4,798 people in total.

About the author

Journalist, software trainer, and Web developer Lance Whitney writes columns and reviews for CNET, Computer Shopper, Microsoft TechNet, and other technology sites. His first book, "Windows 8 Five Minutes at a Time," was published by Wiley & Sons in November 2012.
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Discuss Microsoft is cooler than it used to be, say half of those polled